Inspired by the challenges, joys, and realities of the Texas foster care system, The Foster EP brings together Texas legend Radney Foster and singer/songwriter Kyle Hutton, two musicians whose lives have been directly impacted by the subject matter of these songs. The five-track EP will be released in March 2017, offering a rootsy mix of four originals — all co-written by Foster and Hutton, who share vocal duties throughout the record — and one cover of the Christian staple “Amazing Grace,” the latter song stocked with cameos by several of the pair’s Texas peers.

A former foster child who was adopted as an infant, Hutton recently became a foster parent himself, balancing his music career with his responsibilities as a family man. Meanwhile, Foster was raised in Del Rio, TX, where he grew up alongside two adopted siblings. With such personal connections to the foster care system, Hutton and Foster — joined by musicians like Austin City Limits Hall of Fame player Lloyd Maines — bring a unique mix of insight, experience, and pure melody to The Foster EP.

More than 30,000 children currently occupy the Texas foster care system, including 4,000 children who’ve yet to be adopted by a forever family. While awaiting adoption, some of these children find themselves sleeping in state buildings. They’re cut free from the system once they turn 18, losing any sort of support network in the process. It’s a problem that plagues all of America, with particular issues in Texas.

Filled with acoustic guitar, mandolin, percussion, harmonized vocals and plenty of Telecaster twang, The Foster EP offers music with a message. It’s well-timed, too. In addition to appearances at Gruene Hall, The Real Life Real Music Festival and other noteworthy venues Foster and Hutton recently joined First Lady, Cecilia Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and other Texas-based public officials at the Faith Leadership Summit at the Texas State Capitol. The two musicians performed a song from the upcoming release “Place to Stay” and were immediately asked by the Commissioner of The DFPS to perform at similar gathering in 2017 including over 5,000 faith-based leaders.

When asked about being included in such events, Hutton responded “There’s a huge opportunity for faith-based organizations to come together and be the solution to the foster care crisis. Our goal is to take these songs, and present them alongside an education of what’s going on in the system, and hopefully turn on some light bulbs on for people. All of a sudden, a kid who’s sleeping in a state building may have a potential family who can give him a place to stay and thrive.”

From Merle Haggard-influenced songs like “Three More Bottles” to driving Americana tracks like “A Place to Stay,” The Foster EP is both a showcase for two honored songwriters and an educational tool for those looking to make a difference in the foster care system.

For more information on Radney Foster, Kyle Hutton or The Foster EP please contact Clayton Corn. ccorn@rlrmfoundation.org